Slip handle



P 1939- D. L. DRISCOLL 2,174,103

SLIP HANDLE Filed May 10, 1937 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SLIP HANDLE Dennis L. Driscoll, Los Angeles, Calif.,assignor to Lawrence F. Baash, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 10, 1937, Serial No. 141,700

8 Claims.

mentioned that facilitates the safe and easy ma- 7 nipulation of theslip.

When a string of drill pipe or the like is being run into a well or isbeing pulled from a well the portion of the string above the rotarytable is engaged by an elevator for raising or lowering the string, asthe case may be. Wedge-like slips are inserted in the rotary tablebushing from time to time to hold the string of pipe when a string orsection of the pipe is being connected to or disconnected from the upperend of the string. These slips usually have bails or handles pivoted totheir upper ends to facilitate their insertion in and removal from therotary table bushing. Quite frequently the elevator, operated by thehoisting mechanism of the drilling rig, drops or movesdown suddenly whena workman has his hands engaged on a slip handle, and the elevatorstrikes 25, serious injury. p 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety handle for aslip that yields or gives when the slip or a workmans hand grasping theslip is struck by an elevator so that the slip and 80, the workmanshands are not seriously injured.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle thatcomprises sections hingedtogether or connected in such a manner that thehandle folds or collapses to swing the workmans 35-. hands or hand awayfrom the pipe and the elevator in the event that the elevator strikesthe handle or the workmans hands.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle of thecharacter mentioned that 40, automatically falls or swings away from thestring of pipe when released by the operator to move out of the path ofthe elevator and to thereafter assume a position where it does notinterfere with operations at the rotary table. 45 Another object of thisinvention is to provide a safety slip handle embodying a yieldable orflexible grip that prevents serious injury to the operators hands in theevent that they are struck by a downwardly moving elevator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle of thecharacter mentioned that may be easily engaged or grasped when restingin the inoperative position on the rotary table. A further object ofthis invention is to provide 55 a, slip handle of the charactermentioned that the workmans hands inflicting is simple and inexpensiveand that is adapted for use on the various types of pipe gripping slips.I The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from. the following I detailed description of typicalpreferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of. the

assembly of a rotary table bushing and a set of slips, illustrating oneform of handle of the invention on the slips and showing the handle ofone slip in the down or inoperative position and showing the handle ofthe other slip in a vertical position and grasped by the operator. Fig.2 is an enlarged elevation view of the inner side of. one of the sliphandles illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the handle in the raised orupright position. Fig. 3 is a reduced vertical detailed sectional viewtaken'as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation view ofthe. inner side of another slip handle of the invention. Fig. 5 is afragmentary side elevation of a form ofhandle embodying a flexible gripand Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken asindicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5. The handles provided by the presentinvention are adapted to be employed on the various classes of slipsused in the rotary tables of well drilling rigs. In the followingdetailed description I will describethree typical preferred handles ofthe invention employed on slips of the type that are used in a rotarytable bushing to grip drill pipe. It is to be understood that theinvention is not to be construed as limited to the forms or applicationof the invention about to be described, but is to be taken as includingany features or modifications that may fall within the scope of theclaims.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a portion of a string of drill pipe Ppassing through the opening in of a typical rotary table bushing II. Thecollar or coupling 0 on the upper end of the pipe P is engaged by anelevator l2 which may be considered as operated by the hoist mechanismof the drilling rig. The elevator 12 engages under the coupling C and isoperable to suspend and lift the pipe P. The bushing I I has the usualtapered opening I!) for receiving the pipe gripping slips. It is to beunderstood that the bushing II is seated in a rotary table (not shown).The slips S are wedge-like parts having inclined outer surfaces adaptedto seat in the tapered opening l0 and having teeth l3 on their innersides for gripping the pipe P. In the particular arrangement illustratedthe upper ends of the slips S are below the upper surface of the bushingI I and the rotary table. The invention may provide a handle for eachslip S, it being understood that the slips S are usually employed insets. The handles of the several slips S may be identical and I willproceed with a detailed description of one handle, it being understoodthat such description is equally applicable to the handles of the otherslips.

The safety slip handle of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1,2 and 3, includes, gen,- erally an inner or lower section I5 connectedwith the slip S and an upper or outer section I6 adapted to be graspedby the operator or workman and hingedly or swingably connected, with theinner section I5 in such a manner that it-falls or swings downwardly andoutwardly irr the event" that it is struck by the elevator I2.

The lower or inner section I5 of the handle is secured to the upper endof the slip S and carries the outer handle section I6. In the simpleconstruction illustrated in the drawing the section I5 is asubstantially U-shaped membercomprising two spaced arms I1 and a part I8extending between and connecting the arms I1 at their outer ends. Inpractice the section I5.may-be integral, that is, the arms I1 and thepart I8 may be formed from a single length ofarod or bar stock. The armsI1 are substantially parallel and. the part I8 may be at substantiallyright angles to the arms. The inner or lower ends of the arms I1 arepreferably pivotally connected with the upper end of the slip S. In thetypical arrangement illustrated two spaced lugs I9 project from theupper end of the slip S- and a transverse hinge pin 20 is supported inopenings in the lugs. The pin 2!! projects laterally beyond the lugs I9and the lower ends of the arms I1 have loops or eyes 2I pivotallyengaged on the projecting portions of the pin. Cotter keys 22, or thelike, may be provided .on the pin 20- to prevent the dis placement ofthe eyes 2| from the pin;

In accordance with the invention the outer or upper portions of the armsI1 are preferablyinclined upwardly and inwardlytowardthe pipe P assumingthe handle to be in a substantially vertical position as illustrated infull lines-at the left hand side of Fig. 1. In practice the inclinationof the outer or upper portions of the arms.

I1 with respect to the lower portions of the arms: may be slight, asillustrated, it being understood; however, that the degree ofinclination of the outer parts of-the arms may be asgreat as de-' sired.A bar or tie 23 extends between and is connected to the inclined outerportions of the arms 11. The tie 23 is spaced below and is substantiallyparallel with the part I8. While I have shown the ends of the tie 23welded to. the arms I1 at 24 it will be apparent that the entire sectionI5 including the tie 23 'may be formed in tegrally by a drop forgingprocess, or the like.

It will be observed that the tie 23 carried by the:

inclined outer portions of the arms I1 is offset with respect to acenter line X coincident with the plane of the arms I1 and the axis ofthepivotal connection between the arms and the slip S. Fig; 3 of thedrawing illustrates this relationship and shows the center of thetransverse tie 23 offset inwardly from the center line X relative to thepipe P.

The upper or outer section I6 of the handle pivotally or swingablyconnected with the inner section I5. The section I6 is a loop-like partor bail-like part and may be integral, asillustrated.

In the preferred construction the section I6 includes two spaced arms25, laterally projecting head parts 26, and a grip 21 at the outer endsof the head parts 26. The arms 25 may be straight and substantiallyparallel. The arms 25 of the outer section I6 may be in parallelism withthe arms I1 of the inner section I5 but are spaced somewhat closertogether than the arms I1. The head parts 26 project outwardly orlaterally from the arms 25 and are preferably rounded or curved as bestillustrated in Fig. 2. The parts 26 are provided to prevent the handlefrom passing through the slip opening III, the distance betwentheextremities of the parts 26 being greater than the diameter of theopening l0 whereby the slip cannotfall into thewell. The grip 21 may bestraight and may be substantially parallel with the part I8 and the tie23.

In accordance with the invention the inner or lower ends of the arms 25are pivotally or swingably connected with the section I5. The arms 25pass downwardly orinwardly atthe outer'side.

of the part I8 relative to the pipe P, assumin that the handle is in asubstantially vertical position. Loops or eyes 28 are providedon thelower ends of the arms 25 and surround or en-- gage on the tie 23 topivotallyconnect the outer section I6 with the inner handle section I5.As described above, the central axis of the tie'23'is offset from thecenter line X of the arms I1so that the axis of the pivotal connectionbetween the section I6 and the section I5 is offset inwardly from thecenter line X. When the handie is in an upright or vertical'position asillustrated in Fig. 3 the arms-25 are adapted to contact the part I8.Thus when the slip S is lifted or held by means of the handle the weightof the slip holds the sections I5 and. I6 in the relative downward blowor force applied to the upper end of the section I6 results in adownwardand outward movement of the section I6 and an inward swinging of thesection I5, as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1. In this connectionit will be observed that the part I8 is adapted to engage against thepipe P to limit the inward swinging of 'the inner section I5.

The invention preferably includes support parts orrests 29 to supportthe grip 21 above the upper surface of the rotary table to beconveniently grasped when the handle is in the down position, asillustrated at the right hand side of Fig. 1. The rests 29 may be in thenature of downwardly or outwardly bowed rods extending between the endportions of the grip 21 and the inner portions of the head parts 26.When the handle is inthe down or reclining position the rests 29 engageagainst the upper surface of the bushing I I or the rotary table tosupport the section I6 in a substantially horizontal position where itsgrip 21 may be conveniently grasped.w

S may be lifted and moved about by means of of slip handleillustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, the slips.

the handles in the usual manner. The grip 21 of a handle is alwaysconveniently accessible for engagement and grasping by the operator.When a slip S is to be inserted in the bushing opening [0 it is liftedby means of its handle and passed downwardly into the opening to gripthe pipe P. As described above, the handle sections I5 and I6 arepivotally connected together so that the handle assumes a substantiallyvertical position when the slip is lifted and the arms 25 engage againstthe part I8 to limit the inward swinging of the section I6 relative tothe section The operator may conveniently insert the slip S in theopening I I] in the manner illustrated at the lefthand side of Fig. L

In the event the elevator I2 drops or suddenly moves downwardly when theoperator is inserting the slip S the operators hand or hands or theupper end of the handle may be struck by the downwardly moving elevator.If this occurs the force of the engagement of the elevator against thehand or hands of the operator, or the grip 27, swings the upper handlesection I6 downwardly and outwardly and swings or tends to swing thelower handle section I5 inwardly toward the pipe P. The broken lines inFig. 1 of the drawing illustrate the positions that may be assumed bythe sections I5 and I6 when the handle folds or collapses due to theelevator I2 striking the handle or the workmans hands. The intensity ofthe blow of the elevator I2 against the operators hands or the handle,as the case may be, is greatly reduced because the section I6 swingsdownwardly and outwardly moving in the same general direction as theelevator. The downward and outward movement of the handle section I6prevents the workmans hand or hands from becoming seriously injured bythe elevator I2 and prevents the elevator from damaging the handle. Whenthe slip S is in its final position in the slip opening ID the handlemay be lowered to its reclining position illustrated at the right handside of Fig. 1. When in this position the rests 29 engage the uppersurface of the rotary table and support the grip 21 where it may beconveniently grasped. The form of handle illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3of the drawing greatly facilitates the easy manipulation of the slip andpositively prevents serious injury to the operator or workman and damageto the slip handle.

Fig. 4 of the .drawing illustrates a form of the invention in which theouter section I6 of the slip handle is in the nature of a flexible loopor bail of cable, rope or the like. The slip handle illustrated in Fig.4 of the drawing includes, generally, an inner section I5 to bepivotally connected with a slip S and the bail-like outer section i Theinner section I5 includes two spaced substantially parallel arms Illaterally projecting head parts 26 and a transverse outer part 21*. Thearms I"! and the parts 26 and 2'! may be integral. Eyes 2 I or othersuitable means are provided on the inner ends of the arms I'I forfacilitating the connection of the handle with the slip. Downwardly oroutwardly bowed rests 29 extend between the part 21 and the innerportions of the head parts 26 A transverse rod or tie 23 extends betweenand connects the arms I! adjacent their outer ends. The tie 23 may bewelded to the arms I! and strengthens the handle structure.

The outer handle section I6 may be formed of any suitable flexiblematerial having the required strength. In practice the section Ili maybe formed of cable, rope, reinforced rubber, or the like. The section Itis in the form of a loop and its inner ends are connected with the tie23 In the case illustrated loops or eyes 28 are provided on the innerends of the sections I6 to swingably or pivotally connect it with thetie 23 Collars or stops 3| may be provided on the tie 23 to preventmovement of the eyes 28 along the tie. The section l6 extends outwardlyfrom the tie '23 to pass below or at the outer side of the part 21 Thesection l6 is of sufficient length to have its outer portionconveniently grasped beyond the part 21.

The handle illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing has substantially thesame uses and features as the previously described form of theinvention. In lifting or manipulating a slip S the outer portion or thegrip portion of the section I6 may be grasped for the purpose ofhandling the slip. When the slip S is to bezlowered into the bushingopening III the handle may assume a substantially vertical position withthe section I6 engaging against the outer side of the part 21*. In theevent that the elevator I2 moves downwardly against the operators handsgrasping the section I6 the section I6 gives or flexes so that the handsare not injured. Being flexible the section I6 readily gives and movesoutwardly so that the elevator striking against the workmans hands doesnot seriously injure them. When the handle is in its reclining position,with the slip S in the bushing II, the rests 29 support the section I5so that the bail section I6 may be conveniently engaged.

Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing illustrate a form of the invention in whichthe grip of the handle is flexible or yieldable. The handle illustratedin Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing includes two spaced arms I l a tie 23extending transversely between the arms I1 and laterally projecting headparts 26 at the outer ends of the arms. The arms I'I may be identicalwith the arms II except that they may be of greater length than the armsIl The head parts 26 are curved or bowed laterally at the outer ends ofthe arms II and terminate at their outer ends in inwardly facing stubsor shanks 32. Downwardly bowed rests 29. extend between the shanks 32and the inner portions of the head parts 26 The rests 29 strengthen theconstruction and prevent the shanks 32 from flexing inwardly toward oneanother and from flexing in vertical directions.

A flexible or yieldable grip 2'! extends between and is secured to theshanks 32. In this form of the invention the grip 2'! is adapted toyield or flex to a position such as indicated by the broken lines inFig. 5, in the event that the elevator strikes the operators hand orhands grasping the grip. In accordance with the broader aspects of theinvention the grip 21 may be formed of any suitable flexible materialthat is capable of yielding in the desired manner. For example the grip2'! may be formed of rubber vulcanized or otherwise fixed to the shanks32. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing the grip 27includes an helical spring 33 having its opposite ends secured to theshanks 32 and a sleeve 34 of rubber or the like on the spring. Theopposite end portions of the tubular spring 33 may be passed over theshanks 32 and may be welded to the shanks as at 35. The sleeve 34encloses the spring 33 and may be vulcanized or otherwise secured to thespring. The sleeve 34 prevents the operators or workmans hands frombeing pinched or caught between the convolutions of the spring 33 whenthe grip 21 flexes. It is believed that it will be understood how thegrip 21 is adapted to yield or give when the hand or hands of theoperator are struck by a downwardly moving elevator. By flexing oryielding in this manner the grip 2! prevents the elevator from seriouslyinjuring the workmans hand or hands.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificforms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myselfany variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in theart or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotallyconnecting the lower section with the slip, an upper section having agrip at its upper end to be grasped by the operator, and means pivotallymounting the upper section on the lower section to swing downwardlyrelative to the lower section in response to a downward blow, the lastnamed means including a part on the lower section and a part on theupper section swingable on the first mentioned part about a generallyhorizontal axis laterally offset from a longitudinal center line of thelower section which passes through the axis of its pivotal connectionwith the slip and which passes through the said grip when the uppersection is in its uppermost extended position.

2. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotallyconnecting the lower section with the slip, a grip section to be graspedby the operator, and a pivotal connection between the grip section andthe lower section whereby the grip section may swing downwardly relativeto the lower section in response to a downward blow, the axis of thepivotal connection being offset from the center line of the lowersection which passes through the axis of the connection between thelower section and the slip.

3. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotallyconnecting the lower end of the lower section with the slip to pivotabout a substantially horizontal axis and to be movable to asubstantially Vertical position, a grip section to be grasped by theoperator, means connecting the grip section with the upper portion ofthe lower section to extend upwardly therefrom and to swing downwardlyin one direction relative to the lower section in response to a downwardblow, and engaging parts on the sections for preventing downwardswinging of the gripsection relative to the lower section in the otherdirection.

4. A handle for a slip including, a lower section,.means pivotallyconnecting the lower part of the lower section with the slip topivotabout a substantially horizontal axis and to be movable to asubstantially vertical position, a. grip section to be grasped by theoperator, means pivotally connecting the grip section with the upperportion of the lower section to extend upwardly therefrom and to swingdownwardly about a horizontal axis in one direction relative to thelower section in response to a downward blow, and means for preventingdownward swinging of the grip section relative to the lower section inthe other direction, the last mentioned means comprising a part on thelower section engaged by the grip section when the two sections areapproximately aligned vertically,

5. A handle for a slip including, an inner hanv dle section pivotallyconnected with the clip, and an outer handle section of flexiblematerial swingably secured to the inner section and adapted to begrasped by the operator.

6. A handle for a. slip including, an inner handle section pivotallyconnected with the slip, a handle loop of flexible material adapted tobe grasped by the operator, and means swingably securing the ends of theloop to the inner section.

7. A handle for a slip including, an inner handle section pivotallyconnected with the slip, a handle loop of flexible material adapted tobe grasped by the operator, means securing the loop to the inner sectionto swing downwardly in one direction, and means for limiting downwardswinging of the loopin the other direction.

8. A handle for a slip comprising a lower handle section, a pivotalconnection between the lower end of the lower section and the slipproviding for swinging of the section about a horizontal axis wherebythe section may assume a substantially vertical position, a grip sectionto be grasped by the operator, means pivotally con necting the gripsection with the lower section to extend upwardly therefrom when liftedby the operator, and means for stopping the grip section in asubstantially vertical position where it is slightly inclined relativeto the longitudinal axis of the lower section whereby a downward blow onthe grip section causes the grip section to freely swing downwardlyrelative tothe lower section.

DENNIS L. DRISCOLL.

